Spatial and Temporal Variations of Maternal Deaths in Borno State of Nigeria: An Institutional Based Study

Aim: The aim of the study is to describe and explain the spatial and temporal variations of maternal mortality between different regions of Borno State, Nigeria.

Method: This is a retrospective patient record study, which included antenatal attendance, hospital deliveries and maternal deaths over a ten year period (2001-2010). The data was collected from the Health Information Management System (HIMS) unit of the Borno State Ministry of Health and at the record departments of thirty one (31) selected general hospitals across Borno state. The state was stratified into three senatorial zones for the purpose of data collection, namely Central Borno, Northern Borno and Southern Borno,

Results: It was identified that Central Borno in comparison to the other zones recorded the highest antenatal care attendance and hospital delivery because of the high concentration of health facilities and easy accessibility. Over the 10 year period, more antenatal care visits were recorded in 2008, while hospital deliveries were highest in 2004. Maternal Mortality Ratios (MMR) computed over the 10year period indicated 1630 maternal deaths in 146,829 deliveries, yielding an MMR of 1110/100,000. The spatial pattern of MMR observed revealed that Northern Borno had the highest MMR of 1373/100,000, suggestive of the extent to which maternal mortality is a major health problem in the state.

Conclusion: The study concluded that maternal deaths remained one of the major health challenges in the state. It is thus recommended that both government and international agencies should put more effort in the underserved areas of the state.